Water Purification Process with Water Pretreatment

ABSTRACT

A water purification process for treating water containing at least some organic contaminants, and including the steps of pre-treating the water for capturing organic contaminants from solution in a water stream, by passing the water into a spin up bowl to speed up the water stream, forcing the high speed stream through an annular flow passage located centrally of the spin up bowl passing the high velocity stream between a magnetic member and a magnetic ring, thereafter passing the water stream into an energy recovery bowl, directing the flow from the flow passage onto a zinc anode member; and thereafter passing the water stream along a grounded pipe, thereby causing the development of fine particles of calcium carbonates, and capturing the organic contaminants

This application is a Continuation in Part of U.S. application Ser. No.14/756,339 filed Aug. 31, 2015 which was a continuation in part of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/986,450 filed; May 82013 the priority of whichis claimed

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a process for the purification of water, suchas in reverse osmosis systems, and in particular to such a processincorporating the pretreatment of water prior to actual purification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During processes for separating water from solute-filled sources, suchas seawater, the removal of water molecules from the raw water supply,to produce purified water generates secondary waste streams. The wastestreams have selective solute concentrations variously reachingsaturation and even super saturation levels. Such solutes are of bothmineral and organic composition. These may deposit as precipitationsolids whenever and wherever the water makes its actual separation fromthe process stream, such as within the matrix of any reverse osmosis(RO) membranes being used. These deposits clog the membranes of ROsystems. The periodic cleaning of membrane surfaces thus becomesstandard practice to keep flows through the membranes at acceptable fluxrates. Chemical cleaning does restore a considerable percentage of theoriginal process rate. However it is inevitable that deterioratingrecovery flux rates will result after each cleaning cycle. This willeventually require complete membrane replacement.

Cleaning cycle chemicals do essentially remove much of the inorganicscale accumulations. However many slower accumulations of organiccontaminants within such membranes are not removed by cleaning. This isbecause any formulation strong enough to remove the organics would alsobe strong enough to attack the organic matrices of the membranesthemselves.

It is therefore desirable to prevent organic contaminants from evenentering operating membranes in the first place.

The type of organics that invade and plug up a membrane film might becharacterized as similar to the slippery, gelatinous slimes that evolvenaturally off of fish, seaweed, algae, bacteria, and the like. Thesehave only slight hydrophilic solubilities and will form solidified gelsonce enough water has left them behind within the membrane. Oncedehydrated, the jellied organics become insolubly locked in place withno suitable solubilizing reagents able to remove them.

The invention seeks to alleviate these problems by pretreating the waterprior to contact with the membranes to cause much of these organics tosettle out from the water stream. This is achieved by creating a growthof fine calcium carbonate [CaCO₃] particulates which are absorptive ofup to 80% of any soluble natural organics (including brown tannins asexampled in brewed tea or natural brown waters).

The invention makes use of the calcium bicarbonates which are naturallyfound in the water stream and provides pre-conditioning steps which useturbulent motion within magnetic or electric fields to rip and separatethe hydrogen ions [H⁺] away from the bicarbonate ions [HCO₃ ⁻] thusforming temporary increases in the formation of extra carbonate ions[CO₃ ⁻] in the water.

One form of such a conditioner is shown in an earlier magnetic device(U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,933).

The pre-conditioning process in accordance with the present invention isa major improvement on such earlier methods and devices. The presentinvention provides an adjustable-flow magnetic field device. The devicefurther will allow major increases in flow volume capacity magneticdevices maintain an advantage with salt water where electrical fields ofcompeting electrostatic units are strongly blocked by water conductivityas compared to magnetic field systems.

The large, though temporary, increases of the carbonate content in thewater usually finds enough calcium ion [Ca²⁺] in most waters tosupersaturate the water with respect to forming fine insoluble calciumcarbonate [CaCO₃] scale precipitates. Simple chemical equations, such asbelow represent these conditioner reactions which may prevail tor onlyabout three seconds before the chemistry snaps back to normalpH-controlled ratios:

HCO₃ ⁻→H⁺+CO₃ ⁻ and CO₃ ⁻+Ca²⁺→CaCO₃

Organic contaminants will be absorbed by the calcium carbonate, andlargely formed into a buoyant suspension of tine particulates. Theorganic solutes most readily trapped within membranes generally arethose most easily captured by the carbonate particulates.

While the absorption of organics on the precipitating calcium carbonateis a highly effective method of capturing a large proportion of suchorganic contaminants, it needs to be recognized that the growth of thecarbonate crystals from the water is very much more effective than justcontacting or dumping preformed calcium carbonate powder into the flow.The latter merely achieves a limited absorption of organics on theoriginal preformed surfaces of the powder, whereas the active growing ofthe carbonate crystals from the soluble state absorbs organics at eachlayer of growing crystal formation as those crystals get assembled.Absorptions thus end up throughout the entire volume of the carbonatecrystals, rather than just on the outside surface areas. The result isan increase in capture sites for organics by at least a 100-fold.Additionally, once the problem organics become incorporated within suchscale particulates, they no longer have access to enter membrane poresto cause problems, and are further denatured by essential de-watering sothat their original problematic qualities of being jelly-like or slimycan no longer be reestablished.

As observed upon actual applications, the strength of the magnet fieldrequired to optimize treatment of the water depends on the velocity ofthe water passing through the field. For example, a water velocity of 3feet per second would require a field strength of about 12,000 gauss.For a weaker field of 4000 gauss, a proportionately greater velocity of9 feet per second is advised. The ion separation force generally followsthe Lorentz Force Law of F=Bvq, where “F” is the sideway deflectionforce; “B” is the magnetic field strength; “v” is the water velocity,and “q” is the set electronic charge on the ions, positive or negative,for deflecting each in opposite directions.

The present invention deliberately accelerates the water entering themagnetic zones for allowing fields weakened due to wider flow gapsand/or from less exotic magnets that might be used in major upgrades ofin flow capacity.

Magnetic water treatment seems to be specifically confined to a uniqueproperty of the bicarbonate ion which, when separated from its hydrogenion, remains isolated for an extraordinary period of time, such as 2 to3 seconds. There might be some other ions equally stow at ionrecombination, but most ions when separated appear to reunite withinmicroseconds to yield no relatable opportunities. Calcium carbonate isalso unique in capturing up to 80% of natural occurring organic maileras compared to alum flocculation at about 35% and ferric ion floc at 50to 60%.

The breakup of ions by magnetic and electric field forces has seldombeen studied with the exception of the important technology ofelectroplating where just a few volts overcomes the Coulombicassemblages found in solution. Without actual transfers of electriccharge by active electrodes, most separated ions instantly snap backtogether making such separation phenomena rather invisible to mostscientific observation. Even the extended persistence of hydrogen ionsplit off the bicarbonate moiety remains undetected by pH meter probesas it takes about 10 seconds for this ion to migrate through the probemembrane even as the ion gets recaptured by an exponential decay ratewithin about 3 seconds. Recent instrument advances have finally madethis topic more open for study.

Generally, organic molecules need to have some polar groups on them tohave even trace miscibility with water. They generally have hydrophilichydroxyl and amine groups available as compared to saturatedhydrocarbons and paraffins that quite exclude themselves from aqueoussolution. Moreover, when ionic groups precipitate each other fromsolution, they do so with certain non-polar binding forces coming intoplay to compete with water molecules once crystal formation begins. So,both polar and non-polar (including Van der Waals) forces in crystalsbecome available to attract similarly assembled bond mixes in organicmolecules.

There is a large body of research data in tertiary sewage treatment,water coagulation, and lime-soda softening literature to indicate howextraordinary calcium carbonate is for absorbing natural trace organicsolutes. However, the present invention specifically targets forabsorption onto carbonate scale solids. Notably, the calcium carbonatescale formation is indeed very effective at capturing this organicmatter.

Secondly, the organic matter is actually observed holding back thecarbonate precipitations, indicating that the interacting ions arealready associated with the organic molecules before theseprecipitations occur. No extra time is thus needed for effecting theabsorptions observed.

The use of magnetic treatment has been used by more than 10,000 merchantmarine ships to prevent seawater scaling since 1947 even though theunits had to be replaced annually as they would rust out. The Norwegiancompany, Polar International, built up an entire business enterprise onsupplying such units since 1938 despite lack of any accepted scientificexplanation of how or why they worked.

The invention, when treating larger seawater flows with enhancedeffectiveness, represents more than just a minor improvement in waterquality for subsequent reverse osmosis and other applications. Dependingsomewhat on local raw water contaminant levels and suitable installationand related flow adjustments, large cost efficiencies for desalination,for example, may be expected. Conservatively, sustained membrane fluxrates between cleaning cycles could be expected to be at least double,and chemical and associated maintenance costs could be expected to be atleast halved, and membrane replacements could be between 3 times to 10times less frequent.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention seeks to provide a water purification process, providingthe steps of introducing raw source water incorporating both inorganicand organic contaminants, settling out entrained material from thewater, passing a source water stream into an input spin-up chamber andaccelerating the speed of flow, passing the accelerated source waterstream through a centrally located annular flow passageway and into anoutput chamber, while subjecting said source water stream to themagnetic action of a magnetic ring located around one side of thepassageway, and of a magnetic member in said passageway, the magneticring and magnetic member establishing intense radial magnetic fieldsbetween them and defining a restricted annular flow path between themfor flow of source water from one chamber to the other, thereafterdirecting said source water stream onto a zinc anode body in said outputchamber, temporarily creating a calcium carbonate super saturation fordepositing fragile crystalline carbonates for capturing organiccontaminates, breaking off of said crystalline carbonate deposits intofree crystalline carbonate particles, entraining said crystallinecarbonate particles with the water stream, passing the water stream withentrained crystalline carbonate particles to a reverse osmosisfiltration unit defining an upstream side and a down stream side,continuously removing the inorganic contaminants and the entrainedcalcium carbonate particles carrying the organic contaminants from saidupstream side of said reverse osmosis system, while passing watermolecules through the reverse osmosis membranes to produce desaltedproduct water at said downstream side.

Preferably the source water is injected tangentially into acircumferential spin up bowl for receiving injected water from an outernm and spinning the wafer around a spiral towards the centralpassageway, thereby developing accelerated and angled velocities. Thisin turn results in both a longer passageway flow path and aconsequential higher passage velocity through the passageway to enhancemagnetic field action.

Preferably after the source water has passed through the passageway thesource water is released into a circumferential kinetic energy recoverybowl receiving water after flowing through the central magneticpassageway thereby retrieving most of the flow pressure losses incurredin speeding up water flow against centrifugal forces in advance of themagnetic passageway. The input spin-up bowl traded flow pressure energyfor increased water velocity for passage through the magnetic field[using the conservation of angular momentum. “L”=m v₁ r₁=m v₂ r₂, where“m” is water mass; “v₁” and “v₂” are the before and after velocities atcorresponding circulating radii “r₁” and “r₂”], the receiving kineticenergy bowl hydraulically returns much of the velocity energy back intothe original flow pressure. By channelling the source water flow in thedirection of centrifugal forces this time in the manner of a water pump,flow pressure is much restored. In larger operations, having arelatively low pressure drop through the unit saves desirable energy.

The zinc anode within the kinetic energy bowl charges local metalcomponents with an extra negative charge. In this way they will retainessential sites of nucleate carbonate scale adherent on wetted surfacesfor growing additional carbonate break-off particulates therebycapturing organic contaminants, and subsequently carrying the absorbedorganics away from the RO membrane upstream surfaces, to waste.

Electrons supplied from the sacrificial anode assures that carbonatenucleating sites develop and avoid becoming electrolytically cleaned offthe exit plumbing by positive or stray alternating voltages.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forminga pad of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use,reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated end described preferredembodiments of the invention.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the process of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse section of the pretreatment apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a section along line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is reproduction of FIG. 2 from Chave & Suess, Limmology &Oceanography, Vol. 15, Issue 4, p. 636.

DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

As already outlined above, the invention relates to the a process forthe modification of raw water which incorporates both inorganiccontaminants and organic contaminants, in which the organic contaminantsare of the type which can be sidelined by cloaking them within calciumcarbonate particles. Such raw water typically is sea water, but isobviously not exclusive to sea water but is applicable to any raw waterswhich require purification for consumption, or improvement for use inany industrial process.

In general, a water purification process of this type takes place in aseries of separate steps by means of a plurality of components, (FIG. 1)In particular typical components comprise an intake (10) typically beinga pipe immersed in a source of water. In many cases such a pipe willextend a considerable distance off shore, so as to be drawing in cleanerwater, than is available along the shore. Water is than passed through acoarse screen (12) which is a barrier to remove components in the wateror indeed live creatures namely fish, shells, and also seaweed and largepollutant material. The water is then passed to a sediment basin (14),settling out silt.

From the sediment basin, where the water is essentially still, for atleast a certain period of time, a water pump (16) pumps the water to afine screen (18). The fine screen typically removes any material whichwill not settle readily out from the water in the settlement basin. Thismay include for example, plankton. The water is then passed directly toa pre-conditioning unit (20), the details of which will be describedbelow. The process of passing through the pre-conditioner (20) is tocreate a temporary production of calcium carbonate particles, bybreaking up the bicarbonate ions present in the water, and then allowingthe calcium carbonate particles to crystallize and absorb organicpollutants, in a manner described below.

From the pre-conditioner (20) water containing both inorganic componentsand also calcium carbonate particles with absorbed organic material,passes through an electrically grounded pipe (22). The effect of passingthe water through the grounded pipe is to assist in a more completecreation of carbonate crystal scales. The water then passes to a highpressure pump (24) which creates a high pressure and forces the waterinto a reverse osmosis separator unit (26). Waste water containing theinorganic material and the calcium carbonate micro-particles is rejectedfrom the upstream side of the reverse osmosis unit and is passed towaste (28). Water passing through the membrane, to the downstream sidewill be delivered to a storage tank (30). Water is then distributed asrequired.

This is a general description of the process of the invention. Therejection of the inorganic material and the created calcium carbonateparticles with absorbed organic solutes takes place in the reverseosmosis unit itself. Such material is rejected continuously from theunit, along with surplus water which is a fraction of the water passedinto the unit. Reverse osmosis systems avoid the inefficiencies ofpassing one hundred percent of the water itself through the purificationmembranes.

Therefore there is always a volume of waste water, in which theinorganic material and calcium carbonate particles are entrained and arerejected back to the raw water source.

It will be appreciated that this process does not increase the pollutionof the raw water source, since the only material being returned to theraw water source is material which was extracted from it in the firstplace.

In accordance with the invention, the pre-treatment unit (20) and itsoperation are now described in more detail.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 it will be seen that the pre-treatmentunit (20), comprises in this embodiment, an angular momentum spin-upinput bowl (40), of circular shape and defining a generally arcuateouter perimeter wall (42), and an upper planar wall (44) and a lowerwall (46). A water inlet (48) is positioned, more or less tangentiallyto the outer perimeter wall at its point of maximum circumference.

The inlet (48) delivers incoming water tangentially around the arcuateperimeter wall (42) of the spin up bowl.

The lower wall (46) defines a central outlet opening (50). Around thecentral outlet opening (50) there is provided an annular magnetic ring(52) formed of ultra magnetic alloy. The annular ring (52) is secured inthe opening by means such as screws (54). The annular ring (52) definesgenerally angled side walls (56), defining a circular opening, ofprogressively narrowing dimension, from top to bottom. A complimentarymagnetic plug member (58) is formed of intense ultra magnetic alloy. Theplug (58) is mounted on a movable spindle (60), which is adjustablevertically, thereby enabling the plug (58) to be moved towards or awayfrom the ring (52). The plug (58) defines generally angular side walls(64), formed at angles complimentary to the angular side wall (56) ofthe ring (52). Ring (52) and member (58) can also be formed withprotective corrosion resistant coatings containing magnetic minerals.Magnetite would be particularly suitable.

In this way, a central outlet passageway of annular shape is providedwhich narrows progressively from the top of ring (52) to the bottom ofring (52). The width of the annular opening may be adjusted by movingthe spindle (60).

In order to support the spindle (60) there is provided an access plate(68), secured to an opening (70) in the upper wall (44) by screws (72).A vertical guide sleeve (74) extends from plate (68) and the spindle(60) is located in the sleeve (74), being sealed by O-ring seals (78).

At the upper end of sleeve (74), there is an internally threaded nut(78), secured to the top of the sleeve (74). The spindle (60) isthreaded with complimentary male threads (80). A manually operated cap(82) which may or may not have an additional operating arm attached (notshown) is secured to the top end of spindle (60).

An adjustment scale (84) is formed on the exterior of sleeve (74).

By rotating the cap (82), the spindle (60) can be moved downwardly orupwardly as desired. In this way the dimensions of the gap between thering (52) and the plug (58) can be adjusted along an externallycalibrated scale.

The pre-treatment unit (20) further comprises a kinetic energy recoverybowl (90), located beneath the spin-up bowl (40). While the two bowlsare respectively shown as upper and lower in the illustration, it willbe appreciated that this is without limitation. The arrangement of thespin-up bowl and the recovery bowl may be varied depending oncircumstances.

The recovery bowl (90) is seen to comprise a generally circular chamberdefined by an arcuate side wall (92), and an upper planar wall (94) anda lower planar wall (96). An outlet opening (98) is provided, more orless tangential to the arcuate side wall and will be connected downstream to the next piece of equipment, namely the grounded pipe (22).

The kinetic energy recovery bowl (90) defines an inlet opening at thecenter of annular ring (52) in its upper wall (94). The annular ring(52) in the spin-up bowl is of sufficient thickness that it extends downthrough the inlet opening in the upper wall of the recovery bowl (90).Thus the lower end of the opening defined by the annular ring passeswater directly to the recovery bowl (90). Directly opposite to suchannular ring, an anode block (102) is secured to lower wall (98) of therecovery bowl (90). The anode block (102) is preferably formed of zincor aluminum metal. It is secured in place by means of bolts (104)passing through lower wall (96) and the bolts (104) are provided withO-rings (108), so as to protect the connection between the anode block(102) and the lower wall (96). The function of the anode block is toreceive the direct impact of water flowing through the annular ring (52)and to provide a source of electrons for protecting calcium carbonatenucleation sites generating particles off of local plumbing whiletemporary super-saturation of the treated water with said mineral stillprevails.

Within the recovery bowl (90) the water will then spin in an outwardspiral until it reaches the arcuate side wall (92), and will then exitthrough the outlet (98).

In order to provide a secure integral construction, external upper andunder junction flanges (108) (110) are provided on the respectivespin-up bowl and recovery bowl, and they are united together byfastening such as bolts (112).

The function of the pre-treatment unit (20) will thus become morereadily understood. Water containing both inorganic contaminants, andorganic contaminants, and calcium bicarbonates, will enter the spin-upbowl (40) tangentially through the inlet (48), and will spin around in aspiral fashion, of ever decreasing diameter, until it exits through thecentral opening defined by the annular ring (52). Depending upon theadjustment position of the plug (58), the water will flow at a greateror lesser velocity, but will have accumulated considerable speed andenergy during its rotation. Water flow rate is determined by the systempump, whereas the velocity through the magnetic gap for passing saidflow is the factor set by the gap to interact with the magnetic field.As water passes through the magnetic gap between the ring (52) and theplug (58), the calcium bicarbonate molecules are temporarily brokenapart so as to provide a source of temporary calcium carbonatemolecules, and free hydrogen ions. As the water containing the temporaryseparated molecules impacts on the anode block (102), the calciumcarbonate will be combining with the organic contaminants in the waterand depositing out as crystals. The high velocity of the water flow willhowever break up the formation of fragile “frost-like” adhering crystalsso that the water will acquire a suspension of crystalline fragments orparticles.

The high velocity of the water exiting the ring (52) and impacting onthe anode block (102) will be largely recovered as energy in theoutwardly flowing water in the recovery bowl, which then exits throughthe outlet (98). Water exiting through the outlet (98) will contain aproportionate size of crystalline calcium carbonate particles,incorporating organic contaminants.

This water is then passed through the grounded pipe plumbing unit (22)which further assists in the formation of crystalline calcium carbonatecombined with organic contaminants by providing additional nucleatingsurfaces while the exit water still retains somesupersaturation—(typically up to about 3 seconds before return to apH-controlled equilibrium). The maintaining of nucleating sites beyondthe unit itself, thus, enhances the amount of scale pedicles that can beformed for absorbing troublesome organics. As treated water flows fasteralong the midline of the exit pipe, this zone identifies as the mostfreshly treated and hence the most supersaturated for growing crystaldeposits. The result is that nucleating material grows fastest at theexpanding tips of such deposits in fragile “frost-like” structuresrather subject to breaking off by flow pressure to create saidparticles. Particles typically in the range of 70 to 150 microns havebeen observed by government laboratories.

The plumbing unit (22) generates additional crystalline calciumcarbonate deposits while the “conditioned water” still retains much ofits temporary calcium carbonate super saturation. Typically, some 10 to15 feet long, plumbing unit (22) has pipe wall surfaces, which underappropriate conditions, acquire and retain calcium carbonate scale sitesfor sustaining the nucleation of further scale dendrites that break offas extra organic-scavenging particles.

To insure that such nucleating sites are retained against beingredissolvecd by stray positive and AC voltages in the plumbing unit(22), particularly during non-flow periods, it is advantageous for thepipe to be of a single conductive metal, preferably iron, electricallyconnected as at (114) to the sacrificial zinc anode block (102), insidethe bowl (90) itself.

The electrons available from the zincs higher corrodability, protectcarbonate deposit sites from the acid attack of ambient hydrogen ions(W). The extra negatively-charged electrons (e−) from zinc block (102),aid in neutralizing such hydrogen ions into free hydrogen gas (H₂)before carbonates (CO₃ ⁻) can be converted back to soluble bicarbonates(HCO₃ ⁻).

Simple chemical equations such as:

2H⁺+2e ⁻→H₂ and CO₃ ⁻+H⁺→HCO₃ ⁻ (soluble)

may apply with the latter reaction being avoided by the electrons fromthe zinc block (102). Another problem arises from stray AC voltages fromubiquitous AC motors and related units which can cause electrolysis ofsufficient potential across water-to-pipeline interfaces which“electro-clean” pipeline surfaces of their useful carbonate sites. Forthis reason, plumbing unit (22) is additionally grounded to earth, at(116), to snort out such potential voltages.

These two features assist in maximizing the quantity of absorptivecarbonate particles generated directly and thus minimizes the quantityof troublesome uncaptured organic material which would otherwise foul ROmembranes.

Any remaining calcium carbonate, which has not attracted the organicmaterial, ultimately recombines with the hydrogen ions to becomere-solubilized as calcium bicarbonate.

This water is then passed via pump (24), to the reverse osmosis unit(26). In this unit, the fine calcium carbonate crystalline particleswill remain on the upstream side of the reverse osmosis membrane (notshown). Water molecules will pass through the membrane and constitutethe purified water outlet sent to tank (30). Water which does not passthrough the membrane will flow continuously out to waste (28). Thiswater containing inorganic contaminants will entrain the majority of thecalcium carbonate crystalline particles, thus maintaining the membraneas far as possible free of contaminants and membrane-blockingcomponents. This will substantially increase regular product flow andthe useful productive life of the membranes.

The waste water containing such crystalline calcium carbonate will thenbe returned to the original source.

Typical operating parameters are as follows.

The magnetic gap is determined by the ion separation force equationF=Bvq, where

B is the magnetic field in gauss, v is the water velocity in feet persecond.

Generally ion separation force should be in the range 18,000×q and120,000×q, or the magnetic field×water velocity should between in therange of 18,000 gauss·ft/sec to 120,000 gauss·ft/sec.

Preferably the range will be at least around 38,000 gauss·ft/sec andupwards, which has proved satisfactory in typical cases.

The range of the magnetic gap will be somewhere between 1/16 inch and ¼inch for most water flows and magnetic materials. Stronger magnets mayenable a somewhat increased gap, permitting higher flow rates of sourcewater through the gap.

For example using a 4 inch diameter water supply pipe a water flowvolume of 220,000 US gpd for desalination of the source water, the watervelocity can be increased, in the spin up bowl by between about 4 and 5times. At this speed commercial strength magnets as available todaywould provide adequate treatment.

Quite consistently, all dissolved ion pairs when bound together solelyby electrostatic charge are pulled apart, when the Lorentz Forces ofF=Bvq become a sufficient electric force (F). In electroplatingtechnology, the electrodes adding or subtracting electrons makes suchseparations permanent; but, in absence of electron deliveries, most ionswill snap back together within microseconds upon exiting the magneticfield. With some ions such as those of hydrogen returning back to theircarbonate partners, however, the reunion occurs at a very delayed pacefor restoring original bicarbonates.

Raw source water, including well water, municipal water, sea water,stream and river water typically contain dissolved calcium bicarbonate(Ca(HCO₃)₂). It is well known that calcium carbonate exists as ions inwater including Ca²⁺ ions, HCO₃ ⁻ ions and CO₃ ⁻² ions, depending on thepH level of the source water.

Focusing on magnetic field effects upon the bicarbonates in seawater[typically Ca⁺⁺ @411 mg/l & HCO₃ ⁻ @145 mg/L], three significantseparations occur during seawater transit in the magnet field, namely:

1) Bicarbonate break-ups by passage through the magnetic field:

Because both magnet field strength and local water velocities will varyacross the magnetic gap, Equation A also occurs as well where calciumbonding to carbonate includes extra non-polar bonding that resists ionseparation and even regular carbonate solubility.

2) The separated ions of Equations A, B, and C upon exit from themagnetic field recombine at differing rates as depicted below:

As would be normal for most soluble ions, Equation D depicts the rapidpairing of doubly charged calcium and carbonate ions to contribute tothe calcium carbonate formed by Equation A.

Equation E depicts a very different slow return of hydrogen ion to anyavailable carbonates whose symmetrical hydrated form, C(OH)₆ ⁻ [from CO₃⁻+3H₂O] finds no open vacancy for the returning hydrogen until a basicstructural rearrangement restores a “parking space” for the ion.

Ultimately, a seawater containing a near saturation level of about 0.25mg/L of carbonate [CO₃ ⁻] (i.e. pH 7.8) would have its freed carbonatesoar to the range of 100 mg/L or more via magnetic passage breakdown ofmuch of the 145 mg/L of bicarbonate (via Equations A, B, and C). Then,the aftermath of the magnet field separations features a faster capture(Equations D and E) of the liberated carbonate ions by the calcium ionsover the hydrogen ions. And, once the calcium carbonate forms up intoassembled crystals, as aided by surface nucleation sites, the return tothe original bicarbonate solubility of the solids, now in scale particleform, becomes even much further delayed.

Industrial and commercial experiences with scale precipitation from bothfresh and seawater sources being used in cooling and boiler make-upoperations have shown that magnetic treatment does not just work merelyto prevent carbonate scaling; but, it also prevents biofouling and mostof its associated corrosion. Scale deposited or corrodable surfacesinvariably contains organic matter concentrated for a greateravailability for the growth of microorganisms.

When carbonate scale is deposited on equipment surfaces its content ofabsorbed organic nutrients accumulates with it. But when scale mineralsare forced out of solution in the form of buoyant carbonate particles,not only is scale prevented from depositing upon working surfaces, butthe most troublesome organic nutrients are also being stripped fromsolution into these particles away from said surfaces. The liquid waterphase around said particles no longer contains mineral or organicsaturations to foster harmful deposits.

Though literally thousands of reviewed studies and papers are on recordshowing organic contaminants captured using inorganic flocculants,calcium carbonate is cited as one of the most effective. Notably,inorganic solids precipitating out water need to contain extra non-polarbonds as well that also prove attractive to non-polar organic matter tojoin them. In the case of natural seawater organics, an article by KeithE. Chave & Erwin Suess, “Calcium Carbonate Saturation in Seawater:Effects of Dissolved Organic Matter”, Limnology and Oceanography, Vol.15, Issue 4, pp. 633-637 (1970) illustrated how the natural organicmailer from open ocean and from a seawater aquarium were absorbed andeven so avidly on calcium carbonate precipitates that it actuallydelayed its final flocculation. [With magnetic treatment not requiring aflocculation step, our magnetic device encounters no such delays.] FIG.2 from that article, reproduced as FIG. 4, shows their results.

The reality of particles between 70 and 150 microns in size being formedby magnetic field treatment was quite confirmed by particle counttesting in 1992 at Ortech, the Ontario government lab, with support fromthe Canadian Federal NSERC (National Science and Engineering ResearchCouncil) agency. Results were repeated when over 240 mg/L (70%) of thetest well water's 343 mg/L calcium hardness was noted to have beenforced to precipitate into these organic-absorbing particles. At anaverage of 100 microns, these particles rank one to ten million (10⁶ to10⁷) times the 0.01 to 0.1 nanometer size pore sizes of RO membranes.Though buoyant in the treated feed wafer, these comparatively“mountain-sized” particles and such denatured organic debris that mightbe released from them can no longer invade membrane orifices topermanently seal them.

1-5. (canceled)
 6. A process for removing precipitates from a watersource containing calcium bicarbonate (Ca(HCO₃)₂) and organiccontaminants, wherein the calcium bicarbonate exists in the water sourceas Ca²⁺ ions, HCO₃ ⁻ ions and an initial concentration of CO₃ ⁺² ions,said process comprising the following steps of: (i) passing the watersource at a first predetermined speed into an input chamber (40); (ii)optionally creating a vortex of the water source to accelerate the watersource's speed; (iii) establishing a magnetic field across a passageway(56, 64) from the input chamber to an output chamber (90) comprising anelectron source (102), wherein a product of the magnetic field and thewater source's speed is in excess of 36,000 gauss·ft/sec, therebystripping H⁺ ions from HCO₃ ⁻ ions to form an additional amount of CO₃⁻² ions in excess of said initial concentration of CO₃ ⁻² ions in thewater source; (iv) adding electrons from the electron source (102) tothe water source, wherein CO₃ ⁻² ions and Ca²⁺ ions form insolublecalcium carbonate (CaCO₃) precipitates that incorporate an organiccontaminant, wherein the electrons protect the calcium carbonatenucleation sites; (v) passing the water source through a groundedelectrically conductive body (22) to provide additional nucleationsites; and (vi) removing said insoluble calcium carbonate precipitateswith the organic contaminant from the water source.
 7. The method ofclaim 6 further comprising the step (v) passing the water source to areverse osmosis filtration unit to filter the water source.
 8. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the electrically conductive body is connectedto the electron source.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the passagewayis a variable gap formed between a first surface and a second surface,and wherein a distance between the variable gap changes to change thespeed of the water source and the strength of the magnetic field. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein as the distance between the variable gapdecreases, the strength of the magnetic field and the speed of the watersource increase.
 11. The method of claim 6, wherein step (ii) occurs andthe input chamber is substantially circular and the vortex is created bytangentially introducing the water source at a periphery of the inputchamber and locating the passageway proximate to a center of the inputchamber.
 12. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step ofsettling out larger particles from the water source before step (i). 13.The method of claim 6, wherein in step (i) the water source is pumpedinto the input chamber.
 14. The method of claim 6, wherein in step (iii)the product of the magnetic field and the water source's speed is ashigh as 120,000 gauss·ft/sec.
 15. The method of claim 6, wherein theelectron source comprises zinc or aluminum.